Method and device for providing/receiving media content over digital network

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method for providing media content to a user over a digital network, which media content is provided by a media content server, organized and selected by an intermediate node in accordance to previously stored user preferences, and delivered to a client operated by the user. The method is characterized by the steps of defining a personalized media package structure, communicating a first package having said personalized media package structure to the client, receiving status information from the client, said status information describing a user action, adapting said personalized media package structure in response to said user action, and communicating a second package having said adapted personalized media package structure to the client. According to the invention, the user can experience a highly personalized media playback, with a minium of costs related to network transmission. By the implementation of the status information communication to the personalization server, the media package structure is continually updated in accordance with the user&#39;s consumer pattern.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to techniques forplayback of and navigation among packages of media content, accessedover a data network.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a method and a devicefor providing and receiving media content to a user over a digitalnetwork, which media content is provided by a media content server,organized and selected by an intermediate node in accordance topreviously stored user preferences.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] There are basically two techniques for accessing media contentover a data network, e.g. the Internet; streaming, which means that theuser receives a continuous stream of media (equivalent to listening toradio), and clip-by-clip downloading which means that the user selectsand downloads the media content clips one by one (equivalent to buyingeach song on a CD separately). None of these techniques by itself offersthe user any satisfying personalized media experience.

[0004] Different technologies have therefore been developed toaccomplish a more personalized media access, with the common object ofdelivering an optimized media experience to the user, normally includinga selection of the media content that is deemed most interesting for theuser. This object has been particularly highlighted as the access ofmobile Internet has increased.

[0005] According to a first approach, the user utilizes a handhelddevice that normally is not connected to the network. Instead, thedevice is connected sporadically to the network, typically using dockingequipment of some kind. An example of this approach is the AvantGosystem, applicable for example with a Palm Pilot device. The userinitiates an account at the AvantGo server, and selects a number ofservers from which he/she would like information from. This information,which has a special memory-economic format, is then downloaded to theAvantGo server and continually updated. Each time the user docks thePalm Pilot, the current information is downloaded to the Palm Pilot.Then, with the Palm Pilot disconnected from the network, the user canbrowse among the downloaded pages, for example during a bus ride home.Obviously, this approach has severe limitations in terms of dynamics andmedia quality. Firstly, as the device is not connected during browsing,the information contents can not be changed. Secondly, the mediainformation is limited to text and simple graphics, in order to becompatible with the docking procedure and to be sufficiently compact toallow a great number of pages to be stored in the Palm Pilot. Also, thedocking routine is typically performed while the user waits, for examplebefore leaving his/her workplace for the day. Therefore, it is desirablethat the docking routine is performed as quickly as possible, making ittoo time-consuming to transfer media contents of any greater volume, assound, video etc., even though the connection itself is of high quality.

[0006] According to a second approach, the user uses a handheld deviceto actively access all available information on the network. The device,for example a WAP-telephone or a GPRS-device, can be connectedcontinuously and works as a handheld network browser. This approach putspractically no restraints on the amount of information available to theuser, except restrictions in the form of network capacity anddisplay/navigation limitations of the handheld device. At the same time,however, the user is requested to actively take part in the informationseeking, by browsing the Web. As the modern information seeker typicallyis in a hurry, there is a need for a more personalized media access.Also, when browsing in search of a subject, it is a known phenomenonthat the Internet can lead a user away in the wrong direction. Whensitting at home, this is normally not a problem, but a user on the runis not ready to wait for the media experience. A contributing factor tothe impatience is the fact that a mobile Internet connection normally ischarged in relation to how much information the user downloads, makingit economically preferable to download selectively.

[0007] A third approach relates to “channels”, e.g. Active Channels inWindows 98, originally developed for the Internet user who is notconstantly connected, in order to maximize the use of the connection. Achannel is a kind of subscription of a media content, such as a magazineor a news station. By initializing a channel, the user requests thismedia content to be downloaded to the client while the user is on-line,with a minimum of disturbance of the user's other on-going Internetcommunication. Then, when the user goes off-line, the media content isavailable from a client memory device (e.g. the hard disc). The channelconcept can be implemented on handheld devices, and then offers aselected media content to the user. The channel content can be furtherpersonalized by e.g. cookies, thereby making the media experience evenmore optimized. A problem with the channel approach is that although theuser is given a more efficient media experience, there is still a riskof downloading excessive information. No matter how personalized achannel is designed, if a user decides not to study its contents, thesecontents were downloaded for no purpose, causing an unnecessary cost.

[0008] Another problem, present in all media information delivery over apermanent mobile link, is the risk of deterioration of the connectionquality. This can occur when a car enters a tunnel, or when a movingperson is located in between the zones of different cells in a cellularnetwork (e.g. GPRS). If the line quality decreases, normal browsing canbe tediously slow, making a satisfying media experience difficult.

[0009] Additionally, in order to play back the media content the user'shardware device (e.g. a PC or a handheld device) must include a mediaplayer supporting the specific media format. The media player is acomputer program running on the hardware device, e.g. an MP3 player. Ifthe media player does not support the media. format, the user will notbe able to benefit from the download, causing unnecessary cost in termsof connection capacity.

[0010] The media content is typically stored as a sequence of data bits,a file, formatted according to a pre-defined standardized data format,e.g. WAV or MP3. The file typically contains one and only one mediacontent clip, e.g. a song, together with some very limited informationabout the media content itself, e.g. title, artist and genre.

[0011] The media content is typically played clip-by-clip, i.e. one fileis selected and opened in the media player (the clip is played) and whenthe end of the file is reached the audio clip (e.g. the song) isfinished. In order to play the next clip, the clip has to be selectedand started explicitly. Some media players support a playlist conceptwhere the clips can be played in a certain pre-defined order but theseplaylists are extremely limited, as they can only express a linear (onedimensional) sequence of clips. Furthermore, there exists no standarddata format to define a playlist.

[0012] Some of the above problems have been addressed by MPEG (MovingPicture Expert Group), and are mentioned in the report MPEG-21Multimedia Framework, Beijing, 2000.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A general object of the present invention is to overcome some ofthe above problems, and to offer a user a satisfying media experience.

[0014] A further object of the invention is to accomplish a satisfyingmedia experience to a low cost, i.e. to avoid unnecessary downloading ofmedia contents to a media player.

[0015] These objects are achieved by a method of type mentioned by wayof introduction, comprising the steps of defining a personalized mediapackage structure, communicating a first package having saidpersonalized media package structure to the client, receiving statusinformation from the client, said status information describing a useraction, adapting said personalized media package structure in responseto said consumption behavior, and communicating a second package havingsaid adapted personalized media package structure to the client.

[0016] According to the invention, the user can experience a highlypersonalized media playback, with a minimum of costs related to networktransmission. By the implementation of the status informationcommunication to the personalization server, the media package structureis continually updated in accordance with the user's consumer pattern,i.e. if the user selects to playback media of a certain type on asubject, the structure will be adapted to include more media objects ofthis type on all subjects currently included in the users personalprofile. As a result, more media contents related of this type isdownloaded to the personalization server from the one or several contentproviders. However, it is only if and when the user by navigationrequests media of this type that the media contents is transferred tothe client. Therefore, the user will only pay for requested mediacontents. At the same time, however, the media contents that the userrequests by navigating, will always be adapted to the user's mediaconsumer pattern, and thus the user will have a highly relevant andsatisfying media experience without excessive browsing.

[0017] The second package can preferably, in response to user action,include playable media subjects, organized according to said adaptedpersonalized package structure. The different packages may thereforediffer both in structure and in content. This enables media transferwhich is highly adaptable to user media consumption behavior.

[0018] The status information can further include an indication of thecurrently available network transmission speed, and wherein mediasubjects unsuitable for the available transmission speed are replaced orexcluded from said package. The replacement can according to oneapproach consist of a conversion of media format, such as a compressionto a higher degree, resulting in lower quality but less number of bytes.

[0019] By adapting the transmitted media contents to the availabletransmission speed, excessive delays at the client are avoided. Duringperiods when the transmission speed is lower than usual, wideband mediacontents (e.g. video clips, audio files with high sampling rates) areretained at the personalization server. The user will thus have asignificantly reduced media experience, but this is normally a betteralternative than having the media content transmission completely haltedby deteriorating network capacity.

[0020] The status information can further include an indication of themedia formats supported by the client media player, and wherein mediasubjects having a format not supported by said media player are replacedor excluded from said package. By communicating to the personalizationserver information about the client and the client media player, themedia contents transmitted to the client can be further adapted. Forexample, when using a media player not capable of playback of videoclips (e.g. a mp3-player without display), transmission of such mediacontents would be a waste of connection cost.

[0021] The status information can further include an indication of thetype of situation the user is currently in. Especially important is toinform the personalization server of any activities that can be assumedto influence the user's ability to consume media contents. The user thatis currently driving a car will normally appreciate a somewhat differentmix of media contents than a user sitting on a bus, even if the clienthardware and software are significantly similar. By adapting the mediacontents in accordance with information about the current userenvironment, it will be possible to obtain a further enhanced mediaexperience.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to a corresponding methodfor receiving media contents.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention are devices comprised in thenetwork, including means for performing the steps according to the abovemethods. These devices can form part of a fixed data network (e.g. theInternet) or of a mobile network.

[0024] Yet another aspect of the invention are computer programproducts, comprising software code portions for performing the methodaccording to the invention, when said product is run on a computer. Suchcomputer program products are preferably directly loadable into theinternal memory of a computer, and can for example be distributed over anetwork or on a digital information carrier such as a CD.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further aspects of the invention will be described in thefollowing, with reference to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in theappended drawings.

[0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the general information flow in asystem according to the invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a media distribution network in whichthe invention is applicable.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a publisher node according to the invention.

[0029]FIG. 4 is an example of a media package structure according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0030]FIG. 5 is another illustration of the media package structure inFIG. 4.

[0031]FIG. 6 is a personalization node according to the invention.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a navigator according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] Depending on the implementation, a system according to thepresent invention could have any of a number of different informationflow structures, including different sets of components (nodes). In thefollowing description, a structure according to FIG. 1 is assumed,including one or several media content servers (referred to as publishernodes 1), containing media contents 2 that are transferred to one orseveral clients 3 according to the inventive method. Between these twoendpoints an intermediate node 4 is arranged, comprising a personalizingcomponent 5 adapted to select media contents from the published materialaccording to user preferences made available to the node, and a feedercomponent 6, adapted to secure an optimal communication with the client3.

[0034] The above structure is preferably implemented in a network of thekind illustrated in FIG. 2, including a fixed data network 7, e.g. theInternet, and a mobile data network 8, e.g. a GPRS or UMTS network. FromFIG. 2 it is apparent that the publisher nodes 1 and the personalizationcomponent 5 of the intermediate node 4 form part of the fixed network.The feeder component 6 of the intermediate node 4 is the bridge betweenthe fixed and the mobile part of the system, and communicates with e.g.a GGSN (Gateway GPRS System Node) of a GPRS network. As a part of theinterface between fixed and mobile, the feeder 6 typically belongs tothe mobile network operator, and is therefore shown as a separatephysical unit in FIG. 2. The client 3 is a cellular communicationdevice, e.g. a GPRS phone. In FIG. 2, shaded areas indicate where thesoftware described hereafter will reside.

[0035] A publisher node 1 according to a preferred embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 3. Each publisher node creates and distributespackages 10 with a defined media structure to one or severalpersonalization nodes 4.

[0036] This basic media package structure is used in all processing andcommunicating of media contents according to the invention. The mediapackage structure supports bundling items (also referred to as subjects)of associated media content into one logical single file, which istransferred to the client. The media package structure defines therelation between the media subjects and the navigation structure of amedia package. In the preferred embodiment, the structure is implementedas an XML Data Translation Definition.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the clips in a media package 10 are organizedin a number of content provider specific channels (CH 1, . . . ), e.g.CNN Sport or MTV Top 25. A channel contains a number of subjects (1.1, .. . ), e.g. a sports news clip or a song, and each subject can have anumber of associated subjects (1.1.1, . . . ), e.g. related sport newsclips that give more detailed or related information about the subject.

[0038] The subjects have a predefined playback order (1.1, 1.2, 1.3etc), and are in this way similar to a broadcast. However, themultilevel structure allows a move into a parallel path, changing thebroadcast to, e.g. 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3 etc).

[0039] A subject can also be assigned an expiration tag, making itobsolete after a certain time. This expiration tag can be usedthroughout the system, to avoid delivering media contents that are “outof date”.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, each subject also contains a number of mediarepresentation layers, e.g. text, audio and picture. The layers enablethe same news clip to be represented in different ways, making itpossible to choose from different representations in a suitable way,depending on circumstances such as the capability of the media player,the access capacity or the user's choice. This process will be furtherdescribed below.

[0041] Within a layer the media content is further divided intosequences organized and synchronized according to a timeline. Sequencesare the smallest pieces of a media package and are equivalent with themedia files of today, e.g. MP3 files. Combining and synchronizingsequences on different layers allows rich media shows to be produced.For example, today's news channels on TV often build up their news clipsby combining sequences of audio and still pictures that change based onthe news content. These news clips could be produced based on the mediapackage format described above.

[0042] The lowest layer in FIG. 5, the function layer, allows subjectdependent interactive functions to be included in the subject and alsoto be synchronized with other sequences. As an example, while listeningto a news clip, a menu related to the news clip can appear, allowingitems of choice to be saved (archived) on the media player for futureuse or purchased directly from the content provider.

[0043] Part of an XML file associated with FIGS. 4-5 could look like theexample below. <CHANNEL name=′CH1′> <SUBJECT id=′1.1′ . . . > <LAYERtype=′audio′ . . . > <SEQUENCE start=′0.30′ stop=′1.30′ file=′a1.mp3′/></LAYER> </SUBJECT> <SUBJECT id=′1..2′> . . . </CHANNEL> <CHANNELname=′CH2′> . . . </CHANNEL>

[0044] Returning to FIG. 3, a publisher node 1 includes a database 11,and means 12 for connection to the Internet. The node 1 is furtherprovided with software 13 for structuring the media contents in the waydescribed above. A media content provider, such as a news-station orTV-channel, employ media editors 14 to produce media contents in theform of subjects of different types in the database 11. The software 13,possibly with the aid of the media editors 14, creates packages 10 withthe XML structure mentioned above and these packages 10 are then madepublic, i.e. moved to a public memory location 15 of the database 11which is available over the Internet. Typically, a package 10 is createdfor every channel that the media content provider distributes.

[0045] Additionally, the publisher node includes means 16 for localmanagement functions like setting up and maintaining user groups and newpersonalization node connections, controlling media editor access,backup routines etc.

[0046] The publisher node can have means for connection with an externalcontent database 17, where additional media contents can be found. Thiscan be for example a publicly available database, or a database to whichthe media content provider has access.

[0047] An intermediate node 4 according to a preferred embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 6, and includes a personalization component 5 and afeeder component 6. These two components both provide personalizationservice to the end user but have somewhat different functions and aretherefore separated in this description. As the feeder component 6 isclosely related to the communication with the mobile network, it ispreferably also realized physically separated from the personalizationcomponent 5, which can be for example a permanently connected Internetserver.

[0048] The personalization component 5 is easily embodied as an Internetportal with open std interfaces 21 and thereby accessible from any kindof browser (HTML, WAP, VoiceXML). The personalization component 5includes a user database 22, where user profiles as well as statusinformation about the user consumption behavior are stored, and acontent provider database 23 including the content providers and thecategories of media contents that they provide (also referred to aschannels).

[0049] A user interface 24 is adapted to manage a secure login andauthorization procedure and to give a user access to his/her userprofile information in order to update this information. Contentproviders can also login using the interface 24, in order to set up newchannels or update contents of existing channels.

[0050] The personalization component 5 further includes software 25 toperform a personalization of media packages which are to be sent to aclient 3. The distribution of media packages can be of different kinds.According to one embodiment (not shown) all media packages are stored inthe personalization node 4. According to another embodiment (FIG. 6)packages are sent directly from the publisher node 1 to a client 3, andare only intercepted by the intermediate node 4. In this case, an“intelligent caching” using a cache memory 26 takes place in theintermediate node 4. The package is intercepted by the personalizationnode 4, and a user ID or the like is read from the destination header orthe like. The corresponding user profile is recalled from the userprofile database 22, and the package is adjusted according to the userprofile.

[0051] Additionally, in analogy with the publisher node, thepersonalization component 5 includes means 27 for local managementfunctions, like system administration, backup routines etc.

[0052] The feeder component 6 contains an “intelligent” filter 28 thatoptimizes the data transferred through the network. For this purpose, itincludes means 29 for receiving status information 30 from the client,and sending personalized, adapted media packages 31 to the client inresponse to this status information. If the intermediate node 4 consistsof one physical unit (server), the feeder component 6 is just a part ofthe software running on the server. If, on the other hand, the feedercomponent 6 is separated from the personalization component, there isalso a need for securing network communication with the personalizationcomponent. This connection can include means for caching information,similar to the process described in relation to the personalizationcomponent. The status information 30 includes statistics regardingrequested media contents and the media packages are adapted to thereceived information. For example, subjects that recently have beenreceived by the client can be excluded in order to avoid sending thesame contents twice. Also, if a user seldomly accesses media contents ofa certain type, the amount of media contents of this type can berestricted or eliminated completely.

[0053] The adaptation process is connected to the media packagestructure mentioned above. A package that is sent to the client mayinclude a section of a multilevel structure as the one illustrated inFIG. 4. However, the structure need not be completely filled with mediasubjects (video clips, audio clips etc), but only a few subjects areincluded. As the user navigates in the structure, and thus consumes oneof the media subjects, the package is resent from the feeder, but thistime with a slightly adjusted structure, and with a few new subjects. Ifthe user does not act, the broadcast, consisting of the predeterminedplayback of sequential subjects, will continue, and regularly becompleted with additional subjects. In this way, the user navigates inquite a sparse structure with little content, but is always “surrounded”by new media subjects.

[0054] The statistics on user behavior can be communicated to the userdatabase in the personalization component, from where it can influencethe personalization of media packages at an earlier stage. Thus a moreefficient personalization is accomplished, with a continuous feedbackfrom the user.

[0055] The status information from the client can also include varioustechnical factors, such as:

[0056] connection capacity (speed, etc)

[0057] memory capacity of the user device

[0058] processing capacity of the user device

[0059] available software components of the user device

[0060] traffic volume

[0061] These factors permit the software to adapt the media packagesaccording to prevailing technical circumstances. This adaptation caninclude adjusting the contents in the packages in terms of volume,formats and quality. For example, when a client is unable to displaymoving graphics, such media contents will be excluded from the packages,and when a client has poor memory and/or processor capacity, audio filesmay be transformed to a lower quality. These adapted media packages arethen sent to the client using the communication means.

[0062] It should be noted that the technical factors above have slightlydifferent character. For example, while the available softwarecomponents normally are constant during a session, factors relating tothe real time network transfer can change continuously. Another categoryof factors can be referred to as situational factors, for exampleregarding what the user is doing (e.g. riding a bus or driving a car),and can be expected to change a few times during a session. Therefore,communication of technical factors should be performed with a frequencydepending on the factor category.

[0063] The feeder node can additionally include software 26 for localmanagement functions like setting up and maintaining user groups, newpersonalization node connections and backup routines.

[0064] A client 3 according to a preferred embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 7. The client is a handheld unit such as a PDA or cellularcommunication device, and preferably a GPRS/UMTS enabled device. Theclient software controls reception of media packages from the network,and stores the packages locally on the device. The client software alsoholds functionality for navigation in and seamless playback of thepackages. In FIG. 7, the software components referenced 41 arecharacteristic for the invention, and referred to as the navigator. Theother components are resident in a default device of the mentioned kind.Obviously, the navigator 41 includes interfaces with the clientssoftware platform 42, its different software components 43 (e.g. mediaplayers), its local memory 44, and its I/O-unit 45.

[0065] The navigator 41 includes means 46 to control the I/O-unit 45 todownload media packages 31 from the feeder 6, and means 51 to regularlypoll the media package status at the feeder 6. When a channel isextended by the content provider, the previously downloaded mediapackage structure will be somewhat obsolete, and the polling serves toupdate the structure. Downloaded media content is stored in the mediapackage structure or in a normal sequential format in the local memory44 of the device.

[0066] The navigator further includes means 47 to parse the mediapackage structure, means 48 to navigate in the structure, and means 49to control playback functionality in terms of user interaction (buttons,voice) and players (start, stop, skip forward and backward, pause). Thispart of the navigator is basically a user interface, easily developed bythe skilled man and adapted to the software on the intended device.

[0067] The navigator software also includes means 50 to monitor andcommunicate status information of the type mentioned above in relationto the feeder. The information is preferably pushed to the feeder, as itnormally reflects changes occurring on the client side.

[0068] The function of the described system is briefly as follows, withreference to FIG. 8. A user establishes an account 60 with a serviceprovider, and defines a profile 61 which is communicated to theintermediate node. The selected channel(s) are then transferred 62 tothe client in the form of one or several personalized media packages 63having structure but no or very few subjects. This structure isregularly updated through a polling process. When the user desires toconsume media, the structure is initialized 64, and status informationis communicated 65 to the feeder. In response to this statusinformation, the personalized structure is adapted 66, and a new,updated package, including a few subjects, is sent 67 to the client. Thesubjects are played in their predefined order, unless the user selects adifferent path in the structure. Such a user action 68 will prompt thedownload of a new media package, containing subjects in this area of thestructure. In this way, the user experiences a dynamic broadcast.

[0069] The nodes described above can be conventional type severs,including standard OS and software for main process handling. Thedifferent described software components of the nodes can be realized bythe skilled man without greater difficulties. Standard network protocolsand languages can be used for transfer of files as well assynchronization and control data between different nodes. Handling ofthe databases in the nodes can also be accomplished with conventionaltechniques.

[0070] The invention lies not in the detailed development of thesoftware components, but rather in the design of the general methodsallowing the existing network technology to be used in an optimal way togive the user a satisfying media experience.

1. Method for providing media content to a user over a digital network,which media content is provided by a media content server, organized andselected by an intermediate node in accordance to previously stored userpreferences, and delivered to a client operated by the user,characterized by the steps of defining a personalized media packagestructure, communicating a first package having said personalized mediapackage structure to the client, receiving status information from theclient, said status information describing a user action, adapting saidpersonalized media package structure in response to said user action,and communicating a second package having said adapted personalizedmedia package structure to the client.
 2. Method for receiving mediacontents to a client from an intermediate node in a digital network,which media content is provided by a media content server, organized andselected by said intermediate node in accordance to previously storeduser preferences, characterized by the steps of receiving a firstpackage having a personalized media package structure, communicatingstatus information to the intermediate node, said status informationdescribing a user action, and receiving a second package having anadapted personalized package structure.
 3. Method according to claim 1or 2, wherein said second package, in response to said user action,includes playable media subjects, organized according to said adaptedpersonalized package structure.
 4. Method according to claim 3, whereinsaid status information further includes an indication of the currentlyavailable network transmission speed, and wherein media subjectsunsuitable for the available transmission speed are replaced or excludedfrom said package.
 5. Method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein saidstatus information further includes an indication of the media formatssupported by the client media player, and wherein media subjects havinga format not supported by said media player are replaced or excludedfrom said package.
 6. Method according to any one of claims 3-5, whereinsaid status information further includes an indication of the type ofsituation the user is currently in.
 7. Device for providing mediacontent to a user over a digital network, which media content isprovided by a media content server, organized and selected by anintermediate node in accordance to previously stored user preferences,and delivered to a client operated by the user, characterized by meansfor defining a personalized media package structure, communicating afirst package having said personalized media package structure to theclient, receiving status information from the client, said statusinformation describing a user action, adapting said personalized mediapackage structure in response to said consumption behavior, andcommunicating a second package having said adapted personalized mediapackage structure to the client.
 8. Device for receiving media contentsto a client from an intermediate node in a digital network, which mediacontent is provided by a media content server, organized and selected bysaid intermediate node in accordance to previously stored userpreferences, characterized by means for receiving a first package havinga personalized media package structure, communicating status informationto the intermediate node, said status information describing a useraction, and receiving a second package having an adapted personalizedpackage structure.
 9. Computer program product, comprising software codeportions for performing the steps of claim 1, when said product is runon a computer.
 10. Computer program product, comprising software codeportions for performing the steps of claim 2, when said product is runon a computer.